Chapter Text
Mai was a very observant child. Not permitted to do much else, merely watching people as they interact with the world around them had granted her the skill of discernment at a very young age. When her parents would bring her along to events, most of which were to help further her father's burgeoning political career, she'd quickly learned that polite society was merely a facade. Done mostly in silence, in quiet moments in the middle of conversation, almost every interaction likened to animals circling around each other in a predatory dance, cordial and graceful but calculated.
Truthfully, she's thankful that she developed the skill. It proved useful in her childhood, and even moreso now in her adulthood navigating through high society after her father's imprisonment. Truthfully, she didn't think she'd be this entrenched in it again after the past few years of her life.
Watching a family of turtleducks make their way to their pond, she stands underneath the tree where she so often found solace back in the days when she frequented the palace as one of the princess' closest friends. This time, there are no bows in her thick, dark hair but a few small needles carefully hidden. Though, she's almost certain that the need to use them wouldn't arise today. Almost.
She watches as Zuko continues what looks to be a heated debate with the chamberlain that should have ended in the Great Hall when the council meeting concluded twenty minutes ago. She's not close enough to hear everything, but she could hazard a guess. Underneath the covered walkway, it isn't the place to discuss confidential matters, so one of them wants people to listen in should they happen pass. And she knows it's not Zuko.
Taking a breath, she walks over to them, the wooden corridoor rails keeping her from getting any closer to them.
"Zuko. Chamberlain."
They both turn to her, falling silent as she made her presence known.
"This is hardly the place to have such a spirited discussion."
"Mai!" Zuko looks relieved, a smile forming on his lips before it drops. "I made you wait, didn't I?"
She waves a hand, wanting to dismiss any worry that was beginning to take shape in his mind. "I haven't been waiting long. Besides, the turtleducks kept me company."
The chamberlain shifts his gaze from her to Zuko, his mouth shut, jaw tight in silent deliberation. Ultimately, he decides to walk away after bidding his farewell in a bow to the Fire Lord and a nod of acknowledgement to Mai.
Once he is out of sight, Zuko lets out a deep sigh.
"That bad?" She asks.
"Nothing I can't handle, but…" He trails off, wondering how to broach the subject.
She hums in understanding. "Anyone can see that it's stressing you out."
He chuckles mirthlessly, his shoulders relaxing after hours of tenseness. "If only that was a good enough excuse to dismiss the topic with the council."
Putting a hand on the rail, he jumps over to the garden, his mobility slightly hindered by the official Fire Lord attire he has adorned for the day.
"You know the steps are right there." Mai points to the spot a few pillars down.
He pulls her into his arms in an embrace, tucking her head under his chin. "Doesn't matter. I need some sort of movement anyway. I've been sitting for hours."
"Don't blame me when you find a hole in your pants later."
"Believe me, it's worth it."
"You're such a sap," she says as she hugs him back, feeling his lips form into a smile on the top of her head.
Pulling back, she cradles his cheek, examining the circles under his eyes that have lightened considerably.
The beginning of Zuko's reign as Fire Lord had not been easy. Taking on the task to dismantle a hundred years worth of propaganda and ease the tension between their nation and the rest of the world, he had been plagued with nights of restlessness and self-doubt. All of which led to their break-up four years ago.
It worked out in the end, she supposed. It gave her time away to think about what she truly wants out of life and him the time to grow into the position he didn't think he'd find himself after everything that he's done. Time apart helped them grow and could have easily led them away from each other. Instead, she's back with her hand in his and her trust rebuilt.
Even apart, she could never shake the feelings that had lingered. She tried getting into another relationship and that only made those lingering feelings more evident, especially since her reasoning for even entering that new relationship was to get more information on the people against working against Zuko.
Zuko takes her hand, bringing her back to the present, and they begin their aimless stroll around the garden, the sun beaming down at them.
"How was the Academy?"
"Oh, you know. Kid's running around. Letters from some parents expressing concern over the change in the curriculum as if that change had just been implemented today and not last year. Shihan says she's thinking of retirement."
"Retirement?" Zuko blinks at her. "She became headmistress a couple of years ago."
"She said she was thinking about what she'd do when she eventually retires," Mai says, rephrasing herself. "Then looked at me expectantly. It's not hard to deduce what she meant."
"Headmistress Mai, huh?" He smiles. "I told you you'd like the job."
She rolls her eyes. "You're not letting that go, are you?"
"I guess, I'm just glad I was right. I don't want you stuck in a position where you're miserable."
"Some would argue there's not that many places where I'm not miserable."
"That's because they don't know you."
She hums in agreement, looking at him curiously. "You're considerably more chipper than five minutes ago."
"Yeah? Well, I prefer talking with you than with a room full of cranky old men."
"What were they saying that upset you?"
"What were they not saying?" He scoffs. "The chamberlain handed me a list of eligible noblewomen to talk about marriage."
"Oh."
It was no wonder he was upset. A part of her is, too, considering that her and Zuko have made it no secret that they've gotten back together. She lets him continue, not wanting to interrupt as she's still processing the information.
"Then went on and on about how my reign would be more stable once I have a clear line of succession. Uncle Iroh is apparently too old and even though his politics align with mine, his image still represented the Fire Nation's past to some people, which I can understand. They wouldn't even let me utter Azula's name—"
"Understandable."
"I… Yes, but she has gotten better."
"I know," Mai says. "But that's another can of beetle worms that the nation isn't ready to open. I don't think Azula would even want the position anymore. Too many memories."
"Fair." He pauses for a beat. "So they insist that marriage and having a child is the most pertinent matter to discuss."
"Sure, add one or two more people to the list of assassination targets."
"Those have calmed in the last year, thankfully." He sighs. "You were first on the list of noblewomen, but still, it irked me that they even had other women on there when everyone knows I'm with you."
"And that's what you were arguing with the chamberlain about?"
"And that's what we were arguing about," he repeats, confirming. "They can push all they want, but we're not getting married solely for politics' sake."
"We?" She raises a brow at him.
He stops in his tracks, turning to her with wide, panicked eyes. "I shouldn't have assumed. I know it's early—"
She shakes her head, an amused breath escaping her. "I'm messing with you."
"Oh." He visibly relaxes, grinning once more. "Right."
"I know what comes with dating you, Zuko. Especially now, and I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be. I had three years without you. I could've stayed away, but here I am."
"I'm glad." He gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "We've only been back together for a few months. I don't want them rushing us into something you're not ready for."
"Are you ready for it?"
He ponders for a moment. "I don't think now's ideal. Compared to the last four years, we're in a more stable position, but there's still so much to be done that a royal wedding could seem callous when there's still an uproar about what's being planned for the former colonies."
"That much is obvious, but I didn't ask about timing," Mai looks up at him, curious.
Sheepishly, he rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. Red colors the tips of his ears. "I'd always pictured marrying you, anyway, so I'm ready whenever you are."
His earnestness catches her off guard. Granted, the two have been each other's firsts in everything. First kiss. First relationship. First heartbreak. First love. It really shouldn't be so surprising to her, but hearing him say it out loud lifts the corners of her lips into a soft smile.
"How considerate of you."
"Well, if I wasn't, you'd skewer me," he jokes.
"You know, a few years ago, you'd have stormed off."
"Well, I was a very angry teenager."
"Rightfully so. Most of the time."
"Sometimes," he corrects her. "I don't think throwing a guy across the room for speaking with you was one of those moments."
"Definitely not." Mai smirks. "You've grown. You didn't even try to do the same with Kei Lo last year."
"Not for lack of trying. I swear, sometimes he was purposefully trying to rile me up." He frowns. "Had half a mind to tell the guards to seize him whenever he'd touch you or say something about our relationship."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't." She steps closer to him, their shoulders touching. "Besides, by the end of all of that, it became really obvious to me that I wasn't over you in the slightest."
The two stop by the fountain, opting to sit by it as the clouds begin to shade them from the bright rays of the sun.
She watches as he closes his eyes, his back against the fountain basin, his hand still holding hers as she settles next to him.
Seeing him like this, the few moments of respite he has away from his hectic schedule, makes her heart ache a fraction. After everything, there is still so much for him to do, so much for him to battle. And yet, with that ache, brings her a semblance of peace. Had things not occurred the way it did, he most likely would not have been able to enjoy any peace at all.
She brings a hand to his face, gently touching his scar.
"What are you thinking about?" Zuko leans into her touch, eyes opening to observe her.
"Nothing."
He chuckles.
"What?"
"You say I've grown. You have too, you know?"
"How so?"
"You're more expressive."
"Am I?"
"To me, you are."
"Maybe you just know me better than most people."
He smiles. "Maybe. Or you're letting yourself be more vulnerable."
"That's what we agreed on when we got back together."
"Yes, it is." He brings a hand to her face and moves closer, their foreheads touching. "And I promised no more secrets."
"How's that so far?" Her arms wrap around his shoulders.
"So far, so good." His eyes fall to her lips. "You know, I will ask you. Not now, but when you tell me you're ready."
She moves closer. "Well, when you finally ask me, I think I'd say yes."
Mai kisses him, slow and sure. His thumb brushes lightly over her cheek, kissing her back like he always does only to pull away before he could fully reciprocate.
He frowns. "…You think?!"
Mai laughs, moving away from his embrace and attempting to stand up, only to be pulled down into his arms.
He says he's willing to wait, but she thinks he may not have to wait long, if not at all.